Buying into a wealth of experience

Málaga CF is rapidly becoming one of the main entertainers in the summer transfer market. The Andalusian club's owner, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Thani, after the pressures of last season when the team spent most of its time flirting with relegation, has now resolved to install Málaga as a regular player at the other end of the table.

As things stand, Al-Thani is not paying too much attention to the club's youth ranks - aside from the contract renewals offered to Juanmi, Recio and Francisco Portillo - and is instead relying on his check book.

And, some might say, on wrinkles; signings such as Ruud van Nistelrooy and Joris Mathijsen (34 and 31 years old, respectively), both from Hamburg, are experienced international-level players but entering the twilight of their careers and their performance levels must necessarily be called into question.

Jérémy Toulalan, the France international midfielder, became Málaga's most recent acquisition when his transfer from Olympique Lyon was confirmed on Friday and represents an intermediate profile at 28 years old.

With an extensive budget at their disposal, Málaga coach Manuel Pellegrini and sporting director Antonio Fernández have the luxury of facing few obstacles in contract negotiations.

Age is of little import as long as the players signed have something to offer on the field, as well as in the merchandising department. Van Nistelrooy, Julio Baptista and Toulalan will ensure decent gates and a surge in shirt sales.

"Public opinion is within its right to think that we have signed a pair of veteran players, but we see it in a different way. We believe we are dealing with expert players who can give the team a great deal in positions that are very important for our team," said Fernández, the man entrusted with Málaga's long-term sporting development plan.

"I don't think a player who is 30 years old is elderly. You have to value the person and the professional, as there are players who are finished at 27 and others between 28 and 32 who are in their full playing maturity."

Also on Málaga's shopping list, and in advanced negotiations, is Valencia winger Joaquín, 30 next month. According to Málaga, they are paying for a sure-fire item of value.

"A soccer player of 30 years of age can contribute a lot. Those that have come to Málaga are also of enormous prestige. That the team has two center backs [Mathijsen and Martín Demichelis, who signed in January] of 30 years old is a guarantee of security for us," adds Fernández. "And we need solidity, guarantee and security."

As money is seemingly no object to Málaga, the club is also working on deals to bring younger players to the Costa del Sol: Nacho Monreal, Osasuna's Spain international left back (25) and Argentinean midfielder Diego Buonanotte of River Plate. Such individuals would at least make for a blend of youth to play alongside the experience of the recent signings and others - Weligton (31), Fernando (32), Enzo Maresca (31) and Duda (30) - who are already on the club's books.

"In five years Málaga can be competing with the big teams," Pellegrini stated when he arrived at the club last November. If that is so, it will be a project based on reliable, and famous, veterans.